26 and 26…what a difference each day makes!

This is our second of 3 blog hops. This time, I wanted to talk about what inspires me.

It’s true, birds and nature inspire me, but that goes for most of us Islanders. How did I get into jewelry, and stay inspired the last 25 years?

Well…. perhaps it’s because I always wanted to be a Pirate. Yes, it’s true! I know, I know, but without the eye patch. And the wooden leg…. The exciting part that always inspired me was the big fat chest of gold and jewels! And I wager I’m not the only closet-wanna-be-pirate in this group! That chest always made my heart pitter patter. Now I’m a grown up Pirate, and I get to work with beautiful shiny metals and jewels every day. And I am blessed.

What has kept me inspired, through the past 25 years of making jewelry, is my friends, family, and peers, who are a constant inspiration to me. Each day, I get to recharge myself on their beautiful pieces, and for a moment, see the world through their eyes.

We have been making collages of our work in class, to teach us to look at it objectively. To be able to stand back and squint. To begin to see what our personal artistic style is. And to use that info as the baseline for future growth. And okay, they’re fun too! Here’s a recent one of my work:

I learned a lot about my style from this collage. I learned that I liked color, that I used a lot of drops, that I was being influenced by Victorian style, and that I liked gemstones. Now you think that I’d know some of those things, being the person who actually designed and made the jewelry. But, no. As usual, I was the last to know. The Victorian part totally shocked me. Is that what I really wanted to be doing? The answer is yes, I think so. At least for now!

I’d like to introduce you to the second piece in my line of bracelets. It’s called The Silver Raven. He sits on a large rusty black B’Sue vintage filigree oval, and B’sue rings, chain, clasp, drops and crystal flower. Ravens are my favorite bird.

As part of our class, I have had to ask myself, am I a hobbyist, a maker or a production designer? I have been a hobbyist for a good 23 years. I am now a maker, with hopes to be a production designer. I’d love to see my work on the runway. That has been my dream since I was 14, and got a hold of these great earrings that would swing when you walked. That was the moment the seed was planted. I wanted to make earrings and jewelry that moved. That swung gracefully when you walked. Since I started this Build a Line Master Challange course, I finally feel that this dream might be possible! Full steam ahead….arrrrrrrgh!

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60 thoughts on “26 and 26…what a difference each day makes!”

Chris, I love your back story of where your inspiration began! Your newest piece is just fabulous! I’ll be watching for your jewelry on the runway, in the future. Congrats on having your “AHA” moment from your collages!

You always make me laugh. I will never forget that little pirate – or you equating your love of jewelry with the pirate’s treasure! I bet that’s true for so many of us. I know I played pirate quite often for that treasure. 🙂 Wonderful writing and I love your anecdote about the earrings that “swing when you walked”. I could see you at 14, coveting those earrings!

Thank you dear friend. I’ll tell you a secret, I still have those earrings! My bestie was going through her jewelry box with me, and there they were! She said, “oh those…I never wear them.” And I told her they were mine, and could I have them back? I told her that t
they were very special to me. I thought they were long gone…now they are finally home again. With me!

What a beautifully written blog. I love having this glimpse into your world! Your silver raven bracelet is wonderful and I think you are well on your way to seeing those earrings sway down a runway. Being here was my pleasure! Thank you!

Oh wow Chris I loved your story and about being a closet pirate! I’m with ya!LOL! Your bracelets are beautiful, and I love your cuff, it is gorgeous. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in April. ;D

Great post, Chris! LOVED the photo of you hard at work, I hope we will see more photos like that as we go along. When blogging, it’s important to share YOURSELF in the midst of the process. Of course, I need to take my own advice as there are few pix of ME on my blog! But I guess I can defer to there being over 10 videos over the last six years. That’s not prolific, but it’s a nice little audience and they get to see me, warts and all. And….you mentioned the discoveries you are making about yourself as the class unfolds. I’m seeing that a great deal as I read along. It really makes me happy…..because that’s what this class is all about. DISCOVERY! So keep discovering, keep digging and diving for pirate’s treasure…and in one form or another you will get what you want for your investment in time and quality supplies. XOXO

I enjoy reading your posts Chris and getting a glimpse of your process and where you live. I think I need to do more of that. Your bracelets are coming a long nicely….good luck on that pirate’s booty!!!

Chi’s I love your story and I used to love to draw pirates ands parrots as a child so I guess were dule pirate spirits, always loved a good pirate chest myself. Love your line your creating it just gorgeous and I can’t wait to see the rest! Love ya bunches XOXO!

Hi Chris, loved your post, as always. Can’t wait to see your finished pieces. This class has been fun and I love learning all the stuff that I didn’t know I needed to know. But, its also has some tough spots, like trying to determine if we are hobbyists, makers, or designers. I still don’t really know where I fall in those categories. I have a store and I am selling a few things here and there, so I don’t think I would qualify as being a hobbyist anymore. I want to sell my work, so I believe I am a maker, but as for how far I want to go, I don’t know. I’m not sure I would be up for all the pressure that comes with being a production designer. So, I truly wish your dream comes true and we can see your jewelry draped around the necks of movie stars on the red carpet.

I think my grandmother was born close to where you are from. That brings up good memories of visiting there when I was a little girl. I love the name, Noodle Pie Bracelets. It is one of those names that is hard to forget. I collect bird figurines, and love it when birds are in jewelry. The raven bracelet is really pretty. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your world. I really enjoyed your blog.

Oh, you’ve intrigued me now. Whereabouts was your grandmother born? My nickname has been Noodle, most of my adult. Dating to a day that I made, and brought these cookies to work, made with Chinese noodles…I have a company name with my family name in it. But I wanted something fun for my bracelets. And that’s how Noodlepie Bracelets was born! Thanks very much for your visit Donna.

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Bio

I love to experiment with my artwork. The last 25ish years, I've added jewlery making to my mixed media artwork.
Now, I primarily work with jewlery design to the exclusion of most of my other artwork.
The magic of beautiful mixed metals, and semi precious stones has utterly enchanted me, and I find great joy creating with them.
I live on an island, with my husband John, a dog Sunny and a cat Joey.
There is a distinct male vibe going in the house.
Perhaps in spite of this, all my work is very light and feminine.
I've decided to blog, to keep track of my many adventures of life and work.
Time zooms by....just slow down, and Blog It!

Hand Made, Mixed Media, Mixed Metals. Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, and Rings for Everyday Wear, a Special Gift or something for an exciting special occassion. Also, you'll find Vintage Pieces and a few Crafts.